AUGUSTA, Ga. - Nine University of North Georgia cross country runners earned Peach Belt Conference Team of Academic Distinction honors Wednesday, the league office announced.

The nine Nighthawks were the most from any single institution on the 34-player team. Augusta, Georgia College and USC Aiken each had four runners; Flagler and Lander added three; Clayton State, Georgia Southwestern and Young Harris had two; and Columbus State rounded out the team with one.

North Georgia was represented by Elizabeth Burton, Korey Dickerson, Audrey Gleason, Devin Helms, Karmen LeRoy, Claire Mills, Austin Perez, Ashley Pope and Emery Ryan.

To be eligible for the team, a student-athlete must 1) participate in at least half of his/her team's events and be either a starter or significant contributor; 2) achieved a 3.30 cumulative grade point average (on a 4.0 scale) and 3) completed at least one full academic year at his or her current institution and has reached sophomore athletic eligibility or be considered a freshman after using the extra year of eligibility granted by the NCAA due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Peach Belt Conference Sports Information Directors oversee the program, which is presented by Barnes & Noble College.